Cameron Smith retirement: Sydney ‘farewells’ Storm legend after reign of terror

From Bondi to Brookvale, Belmore to Bankwest, Kogarah to Penrith - Cam, here’s a message from the 5.3 million Sydneysiders you terrorised for too long.

Cameron Smith just kept winning and winning and winning. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

From Bondi to Brookvale, Belmore to Bankwest, Kogarah to Concord and Penrith to Parramatta.

Cam, it’s been fun, fierce and frequently controversial, but from 5.3 million drained Sydneysiders, can you now p*** off.

For 19 years, you have tormented us poor NSW footy folk.

It’s time to register for Australia’s best fantasy footy game – KFC SuperCoach. Register now at supercoach.com.au >

The cruelty is now over and we don’t have to see that Hollywood smile ever again.

The smile on our famous Luna Park face even seems wider today.

Every ground, every Origin, every grand final, it seemed Smith was there to rub our noses in Sydney’s rich turf.

Smith’s Queensland side almost destroyed interstate rugby league in NSW while his Storm side just kept winning and winning… and winning.

Cameron Smith just kept winning and winning and winning. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

And there he was, in the heart of it all, controlling, questioning and refereeing each game with a dominant self-confidence.

While he will be remembered as not only the greatest player of the modern era but perhaps the finest player in 113 years of Australian rugby league, many Sydneysiders found Smith irritating.

That came through a mixture of jealously, success, perceived arrogance, selfishness, wrestling and being a Queenslander who moved to Victoria.

Despite his efforts to present a squeaky clean image, Smith was charged nine times by the NRL match review committee for a variety of offences including grapple tackles, dangerous throws, raised elbows, chicken wings, dangerous contact and fighting.

Referee Smith! Picture: AAP/Scott Barbour

Smith missed the 2008 grand final against Manly – his side subsequently lost 40-0 - for a grapple tackle.

Some thought Smith announcing his retirement the day before rugby league’s season kick off was self-centred.

And then there were others who felt Smith retiring at a statue unveiling with Billy Slater eroded some of Slater’s limelight.

On the field, Smith was without peer.

Just last week at the NRL launch, star player Cam Munster gave an interesting insight into the confidence Smith gave teammates.

Safe to say Smith wasn’t a Brookvale favourite. Picture: Brett Costello

“He gets that look in his eye. When you’re putting your jersey on, you’re standing in the sheds and you look over and see Smithy gearing up, you know we’re going to win,” Munster said.

And win Smith did.

Not a single NRL club managed to secure a higher than 50 per cent win record against Smith and Melbourne. And Sydney clubs copped the brunt.

What about the poor Dragons? Smith enjoyed a winning success rate of 81 per cent through 17 wins from 21 games.

It was even worse for Penrith, where Smith claimed 19 wins from 23 matches for a strike rate of 82.6 per cent. In 27 games against Souths, Smith and the Storm won 21.

Even the mighty Roosters couldn’t tame Smith, who won 14 from 20 games. And when it came to State of Origin at our Sydney Olympic Park cauldron, Smith still managed a 60 per cent win ratio.

Smith was the ultimate winner who played the game to his speed and at his tempo. A player we openly disliked but privately admired.

Most saw through his cheesy grin.

But we also saw a player who we’d one day tell our grandchildren about.

He did what it took to win, and to hell with anyone who got in his way.

Smith’s reign of terror through the suburbs of Sydney is now over.

Thanks for the memories, Cam, and thank God you’ve gone.